News: DMN: Scales: What Tony Romo is like off the field; if the O-Line underwhelmed last season

[NewsBot]

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[WoodysGirl]

Off-field fodder..

 

[casmith07]

We should draft Zack's brother Nick.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

We should draft Zack's brother Nick.

Wouldn't mind it but he is probably a 3rd rounder...doubt he makes it to our 4th. Is a backup OL the best usage of a #3?

 

[casmith07]

Wouldn't mind it but he is probably a 3rd rounder...doubt he makes it to our 4th. Is a backup OL the best usage of a #3?

Depends on who is on the board, I guess. But I would think no. 3rd round is our RB/WR round this year, I hope. Unless we do what we should do and just draft Zeke Elliott.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Depends on who is on the board, I guess. But I would think no. 3rd round is our RB/WR round this year, I hope. Unless we do what we should do and just draft Zeke Elliott.

I like Elliott the best as well, and would not be sad about a trade down. Half a dozen spots down and still get a very good player and another early round pick or two would make me happy.

 

[starfrombirth]

Ha! Jerry said ********** (in my best Beavis impersonation)!

 

[casmith07]

I like Elliott the best as well, and would not be sad about a trade down. Half a dozen spots down and still get a very good player and another early round pick or two would make me happy.

I'm hoping there's a target for this. I have to imagine that if Wentz goes 2 to the Browns, which I expect, that there will be a team willing to move up to 4 to get Goff.

 

[Venger]

Question: Do you feel as though the offensive line underwhelmed at times last year, or was that more of a product of numerous injuries?

Scales... the line allowed 2 more sacks in 2015 (33) than in 2014 (31)...

Both of which resulted in breaking Romo's collarbone. Count me underwhelmed.

 

[robjay04]

I like Elliott the best as well, and would not be sad about a trade down. Half a dozen spots down and still get a very good player and another early round pick or two would make me happy.

A half dozen spots may not work. If we don't take him, I don't see him making it past the Ravens, Eagles and Giants. He is a top 10 pick, number 4 is not an ideal spot to take him but it's not really a reach if it's only a few draft spots where he is projected to go. Todd Gurley went higher than he was projected last season but I am sure you will not find a Ram fan that has a problem with that now.

 

[rockj7]

Special contributor Kristi Scales recently held a chat to talk all things Dallas Cowboys. Here are some highlights:
Question: What kind of guy is Tony Romo like off the field?

Scales: He's now a family guy, husband and father of two sons. One thing I enjoy each year is the holiday party which Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation throws for families affected by domestic violence. Michelle & Jason Witten invite Cowboys teammates and their families to share quality time with moms & kids from The Family Place. The highlight of the holiday party is Tony Romo reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to all the kids, alongside one of his teammates dressed as Santa Claus (Jeremy Mincey has been Santa the past couple of years). Tony reading to those kids...it's really a cool thing and something I wish Cowboys fans could see. I love helping at events like these because you get to know the players' families and interact with the guys in a non-football environment.

Question: Do you feel as though the offensive line underwhelmed at times last year, or was that more of a product of numerous injuries?

Scales: I assume you mean injuries to the offense as a whole (Romo, Dez Bryant, Lance Dunbar) and not the O-line in particular. In fact, four of the five O-linemen (Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin & Doug Free) started every game. Ronald Leary (groin) had an injury early in the season that opened the door for La'el Collins. I don't think the line underwhelmed. In fact, I think a lot of fans/observers would be surprised to know that the Cowboys average-per-rush was exactly the same in 2015 as it was in 2014 when Murray won the league title (4.6 yards per carry). That's pretty impressive since there was no Dez to help keep the defense honest, stack against the run. Also, the line allowed 2 more sacks in 2015 (33) than in 2014 (31). The biggest discrepancy was 3rd down conversions (34.6% in 2015, 47.3% in 2014). The offense couldn't sustain drives. Part of that problem was getting in 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations repeatedly. And one of the reasons for the problems in down and distance was penalties. That was an area of concern for the line (and the whole offense) in 2015.

Question: With Bernadeau leaving in free agency, who is the Cowboys backup center in 2016? Also, what are your thoughts on Joey Bosa being drafted by the Cowboys?

Scales: Bernadeau was a valuable backup because he was the backup guard and center. With him leaving in free agency, my guess is that Zack Martin will get more practice snaps at center in camp/OTAs. Of course, the Cowboys will bring in some bodies to get through offseason work and preseason games, but I wouldn't be shocked if, on game day in 2016, Martin were backup center.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL CHAT

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According to PFF the Oakland Raiders have the best O Line in football. I'm my opinion good I want this O line to go into the season with a chip on its shoulder. I want to see this O line pound that new shiny Giants D Line into dust convert 3rd and 1 and prove its the best O Line in the NFL ( and make Zeke the first rookie with over 2000 yfs rushing) lol Had to throw that in.

 

[basstapp]

Wouldn't mind it but he is probably a 3rd rounder...doubt he makes it to our 4th. Is a backup OL the best usage of a #3?

Wouldn't that impact zach Martin's next contract? Playing with his brother? I haven't seen him actually play so don't have an opinion on his skill set.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Wouldn't that impact zach Martin's next contract? Playing with his brother? I haven't seen him actually play so don't have an opinion on his skill set.

Just depends on how the line shakes out. Leary probably does not get resigned next year. So we potentially have a hole at guard for Martin to step right in. If we try moving Collins out to right tackle after this year that gives us Collins, Martin, Frederick, Martin and Smith as starters in 2017. I could live with that.

 

[Sydla]

According to PFF the Oakland Raiders have the best O Line in football. I'm my opinion good I want this O line to go into the season with a chip on its shoulder. I want to see this O line pound that new shiny Giants D Line into dust convert 3rd and 1 and prove its the best O Line in the NFL ( and make Zeke the first rookie with over 2000 yfs rushing) lol Had to throw that in.

Is that a new ranking? Because for their season ending 2015 rankings, Dallas was #1.

EDIT: I found it. They said they could have the best OL in 2016 and the best on paper right now.

 

[rockj7]

Is that a new ranking? Because for their season ending 2015 rankings, Dallas was #1.

EDIT: I found it. They said they could have the best OL in 2016 and the best on paper right now.

Syd sorry I should of added the link. I live here in the Bay Area and its all the buzz I don't say anything cause I believe we have the best young relatively inexpensive line in the league I want them to fee disrepected and put no doubt in defenses minds we have the bed line and second isn't even close

 

[LittleD]

I like Elliott the best as well, and would not be sad about a trade down. Half a dozen spots down and still get a very good player and another early round pick or two would make me happy.

If we even think about a tradedown situation to get EE, it must be with SF at #7 or above. The Eagles are at #8 and they
don't have much of a RB right now. EE will not get past them.